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Why Wiggins left his parents in the dark on Kansas decision

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.— After months of contemplation, Andrew Wiggins, the most hyped high school senior since LeBron James, selected a college sometime on Sunday night. But keeping with the amazingly secretive

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Why Wiggins left his parents in the dark on Kansas decision

Adam Himmelsbach, USA TODAY Sports
5:39 p.m. EDT May 14, 2013

Huntington Prep basketball player Andrew Wiggins, center, flanked by his parents Mitchell Wiggins and Marita Payne-Wiggins, as he announces his commitment to the University of Kansas during a ceremony.(Photo: Sholten Singer AP)

Story Highlights

The rush of spring all-star games came and went, and everyone was still waiting on Wiggins

Kevin Durant and James and even Michael Jordan reached out

Mitchell and Marita Wiggins knew their son had selected a college, yet still unsure which one

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.— After months of contemplation, Andrew Wiggins, the most hyped high school senior since LeBron James, selected a college sometime on Sunday night. But keeping with the amazingly secretive nature of this process, the Huntington Prep forward didn't even tell his parents.

His father, Mitchell, was in Fort Lauderdale with some former pro basketball teammates, and Andrew worried that if he told him, the decision he'd so carefully guarded would escape into social media's ether.

So on Monday night, Mitchell and Marita Wiggins arrived at a hotel here knowing that their son had selected a college, yet still unsure which one. Wiggins drove to the hotel, entered his parents' room and flashed a wide smile.

"I know where I want to go," he said. "Guess!"

But his parents didn't want to guess. Mitchell Wiggins isn't a good guesser. Marita Wiggins didn't want to pick the wrong school. Then, finally, emphatically, Andrew Wiggins revealed that he was headed to Kansas.

On Tuesday, he picked up breakfast for his friends at Tudor's Biscuit World and went to St. Joseph's Central High School for the official announcement. Around 11:30 a.m., he and his parents found a quiet moment together and prayed. And at 12:09 p.m. he shared his plans more publicly, in front of classmates, family and friends. The relief was palpable.

"It's a big weight off my shoulders," Wiggins said afterward. "All the schools were good, but Kansas was where my heart was at."

Wiggins, who is expected to be the No. 1 pick of the 2014 NBA draft, was also considering Kentucky, Florida State and North Carolina. Mitchell Wiggins said Kansas stood out because of its system. Marita Wiggins said Kansas stood out because of the school's laid-back, country atmosphere. Andrew Wiggins said he just felt at ease there.

The intrigue surrounding this decision offered an interesting paradox. Those close to Wiggins said he just wanted the process to be over. He just wanted to pick a college already. And that made many wonder why he hadn't just gone ahead and done so.

But Wiggins struggled with his predicament and its intricacy. Yes, he wanted to decide; he was just unsure which to choose.

Throughout the process, his father said, Wiggins received more guidance than he could handle, from all corners of the basketball universe. Kevin Durant and James and even Michael Jordan reached out. But sometimes the din can make life more complicated.

The rush of spring all-star games came and went, and everyone was still waiting on Wiggins. The longer we waited, the more the anticipation rose and the hype mushroomed.

"It's been going on for such a long time," Marita Wiggins said. "It was time to say what you have to say and move on with life."

Wiggins always wanted his announcement to be somewhat muted, without bright lights or national television cameras. It ultimately came in this small gym at this old brick school, as he sat on a folding chair at a folding table that had been placed at midcourt.

And it came swiftly, six minutes ahead of schedule. Yes, once the decision had been made, Andrew Wiggins just wanted to get it over with.

Later, he circled the gym, smiling and thanking those who had helped him reach this point. He politely posed for pictures with anyone who asked. It felt like a graduation, which, in a sense, I suppose it was.

At one end of the gym, his father rebounded jump-shots for some children. Near midcourt, his mother accepted well-wishes and seemed content. Wiggins, meanwhile, found a quiet spot in the bleachers, put his arms up and exhaled.

He looked like a young man who realized the biggest choice of his life was finally behind him, but also understood the challenges that await.

"I'm just looking forward to having fun," he said, "and competing."

Later, after the announcement and the congratulations and the relief, Wiggins was headed back to a gym. He was headed to play pickup basketball with friends, and maybe the weight that had been lifted allowed him to jump higher than he ever had before.

Himmelsbach also writes for the Louisville Courier-Journal, a Gannett property

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